Sun or Moon? Both versions tell exactly the same story, with the same characters and the same Trials. What changes: the legendary Pokémon, the in-game time and a handful of Pokémon. Here is what you need to choose with full knowledge.

🕒The real difference: the time

This is the pair’s most original difference: Pokémon Sun follows your console’s clock, while Pokémon Moon is shifted by twelve hours. So the choice also depends on your play habits.

  • You mostly play during the day: in Sun, Alola will be bathed in light; in Moon, you will explore at night.
  • You mostly play in the evening: it is the other way around. Evening players who love sunny beaches will prefer Moon.

The time changes the Pokémon you meet (Yungoos by day, Alolan Rattata at night, for example) and some evolutions, such as Lycanroc’s form.

🌟The legendary Pokémon

Solgaleo, in Sun

Psychic and Steel. A very sturdy physical attacker, with Sunsteel Strike.

Lunala, in Moon

Psychic and Ghost. A formidable special attacker, protected by Shadow Shield, with Moongeist Beam.

🐾Exclusive Pokémon

Pokémon Sun only (not in Moon) 8

Pokémon Moon only (not in Sun) 8

On top of these wild Pokémon, there are two Ultra Beasts per version: Buzzwole and Kartana in Sun, Pheromosa and Celesteela in Moon. The details are on our page Version exclusives.

🤔Our advice

First choose based on the time you play, then on the legendary Pokémon you like. The exclusive Pokémon are not decisive for finishing the adventure: each version offers a dragon (Turtonator or Drampa), an Alolan form from the snow and a jungle monkey. You can trade for the rest.